Surajit Sengupta (30.08.1951 – 17.02.2022) was an Indian footballer who played as a winger. He played for the India national team, representing the country in the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran and the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok.In a domestic career of twelve years from 1971 to 1983 and he represented all the three leading football clubs of Kolkata, Mohun Bagan FC, East Bengal FC, and Mohammedan Sporting FC, and was considered one of the finest forwards of his time.
Football is a passion for all Bengal, Goa and Northeastern States of India, it’s a religion and an emotion too.
From Civilian to Indian Armed Forces all have attachment for football.
“My most beloved footballer Bobby (Surajit Sengupta) is no more. He left all the football lovers grief stricken. May his departed soul rest in peace.
When I heard about his demise on TV I was awestruck. Though I knew he was hospitalized due to Covid infection , I never thought that he would succumb to the virus. I thought that he was a great fighter and would overcome the virus attack. But alas! He could not.
Many sweet memories about football were revolving around my mind. I first met him in Goa during the Santosh Trophy national football championship held in Panaji during the mid seventies… the actual year I don’t remember now.
He was representing the Bengal team. The Bengal team was put up in Vasco. They used to come to our Naval football ground adjacent to the Dabolim Airport. We too used to practice football on that ground. When we came to know that the Bengal team would practice on our ground, we were much delighted and were eager to meet our football heroes of Bengal from such close proximity. When their bus would arrive near the ground, we would leave the field for them to practice and sit outside the field for rest and watch their practice. The Bengal team coach was Pradip Banerjee. Some of the players’ name still I remember and among them was my hero Surajit. The other players were Subhash Bhowmick, Habib, Akbar, Gautam Sarkar, Ashokelal Banerjee, Syed Nayeemuddin, Bijoy Dikpati, Swapan Sengupta, Mohan Singh and Gymnast goalkeeper Tarun Bose.
On completion of their practice they used to sit at the field for rest. The very first day some of us all Bengali boys approached them, introduced ourselves, welcomed them and wished them good luck as we were their fans and they were our heroes. One day after the practice while they’re taking rest someone among the players, most probably it’s Akbar asked ” ai Bobby Ekta gaan ga.” (read: Hi Bobby, sing a song.)
We were standing around them and were surprised to know that they call Surajit as Bobby. Though they were tired , Surajit didn’t give any excuses and started singing. He was so humble and was very loveable among the players. Thereafter, we met them several times. On the day of the match of Bengal team we used to go to the Vasco ground and occupy the space in the gallery just behind the goal post to cheer the team Bengal, we were about 20 boys from INS Hansa and made our presence felt to the other spectators. We attended all the matches of Bengal and cheered for them. The players were also delighted to get such huge support in an unknown place. Bengal own the final defeating Goa.
Surajit and Subhas were the center of attraction of all the spectators. Also goalkeeper Tarun Bose was at his best. He showed some of his gymnastic movements to save the goals and won the hearts of the spectators.
Before ending I wish my hero’s soul rest in peace and my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.”
(With inputs from Pratyusha Mukherjee)